Spent some fascinating hours at the PRO today following the operational history of this aircraft through 97 Squadron's Operational Record Books.

Very interesting, especially to discover that JB659 flew on thirteen , not nine operations.

The 'nine' figure comes from Francis K Mason's book which only gives a 'selection' of raids for each airframe. So in fact, J-For-Johnnie flew to Berlin ( 8 times, including one aborted and the final op ), Leipzig, Frankfurt, Stettin, Brunswick and Magdeburg. It was also due to fly another Berlin op on the night before it was lost, but failed to take off.

The crew who were lost with the Lancaster were flying in it for the first time ; most of them had only joined 97 Squadron on January 14th.

So this machine was quite a veteran despite having an operational life of almost exactly two months.

31/1/44 : -
'Two crews, F/LT. CLARKE and P/O HART failed to return. No news has since been heard'
( Signed : Sqn. Ldr. C.M. Dunnicliffe, Officer Commanding ).

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson